Portable gun rack

ABSTRACT

A portable gun rack for accommodating a plurality of long bore firearms is disclosed. The gun rack includes a collapsible frame stand, a collapsible muzzle sconce, which includes a scalloped edge, and a collapsible butt sconce, wherein the muzzle and butt sconces include non-marring surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sporting goods, more specifically, a temporary storage device for long bore firearms like shotguns and rifles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When using long bore firearms like shotguns and rifles in the field for hunting or target shooting, it is common for such firearms to be carried in a flexible gun case, like a leather or canvas bag, which maintains the firearm in a clean and safe environment. Such gun cases, however, lack means to temporarily store the firearm in a manner that makes it readily accessible or interchangeable with another firearm. Placing the firearm on the ground is not a desirable option because the firearm can become soiled or damaged. Leaning the firearm against an object like a tree or fence might provide better access and support, but will not elevate the dirt and damage problems because such objects tend to accumulate dirt by exposure to the elements and are not reliable supports for the smooth metal muzzle of a typical long bore firearm. In addition such objects are not portable and serve to limit the user's mobility. Consequently, the art includes many devices for temporarily storing a shotgun or rifle when in the field. These devices, however, lack the degree of portability of the present invention and other useful features, like the ability to hold several firearms simultaneously and protect the firearm from damage and dirt.

Thus, there is a need for a portable gun rack that collapses efficiently and is adapted to hold several firearms simultaneously in a manner that protects the firearm from excess dirt and damage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable gun rack comprising a collapsible or foldable frame stand, a collapsible or foldable muzzle sconce, and a collapsible or foldable butt sconce. The collapsible frame stand comprises at least two frame pivots and at least one collapsible frame bracket adapted to provide lateral support to the frame. The frame stand may also include at least one additional bracket that provides additional lateral support to the frame and also supports the muzzle sconce when in an unfolded position. The frame stand also includes at least one handle adapted to allow a user to easily grasp and carry the gun rack when fully collapsed. The collapsible muzzle sconce is operably connected to the frame and comprises a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse the muzzle sconce proximate the frame when fully collapsed. The muzzle sconce further comprises a peripheral surface covered with a suitable material to protect a rifle muzzle or barrel from marring and/or damage. Suitable materials include felt, rubber or other non-marring materials. The peripheral surface of the muzzle sconce further comprises a scalloped edge adapted to accommodate a plurality of rifles. The collapsible butt sconce includes a collapsible or foldable shelf including a flange or lip to prevent the rifle butt from slipping off the shelf. The shelf and flange also may include a surface covered with a suitable material, like felt or rubber, to protect a rifle butt, including a portion of a rifle stock, from marring, damage and/or slipping. The flange also may include means to secure or lock the gun rack in the collapsed position, including a hook and eye latch. The butt sconce further includes a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse the butt sconce proximate the frame when fully collapsed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood by reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the portable gun rack.

FIG. 2 is a further embodiment of the portable gun rack in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the portable gun rack in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, and procedural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In an embodiment of a portable gun rack 10 shown in FIG. 1, the gun rack 10 includes a collapsible frame stand 101 comprising at least two frame pivots 102 and at least one collapsible frame bracket 103 adapted to provide lateral support to the frame. As further shown in FIG. 1, the frame stand 101 may also include at least one additional bracket 104 that provides additional lateral support to the frame 101 and also supports a collapsible muzzle sconce 105 when the sconce 105 is in an unfolded position 105 a. Preferably, the brackets 103, 104 are adapted to lock in place using self-locking mechanisms that are well known in the art. The frame stand 101 also includes at least one handle 106 adapted to allow a user to easily grasp and carry the gun rack 10 when fully collapsed as shown in FIG. 2.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the collapsible muzzle sconce 105 is operably connected to the frame stand 101 and comprises a plurality of hinges 107 adapted to allow the muzzle sconce 105 to be collapsed proximate the frame 101 when fully collapsed as shown in FIG. 2. The muzzle sconce 105 further comprises a peripheral surface 108 covered with a suitable material to protect a rifle muzzle from marring and/or damage. Suitable materials include felt, rubber, or other non-marring materials. The peripheral surface of the muzzle sconce 108 further comprises a scalloped edge 108 a adapted to accommodate a plurality of rifles as shown in FIG. 3.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the gun rack 10 includes a collapsible butt sconce 109 further comprising a collapsible or foldable shelf 110 including a flange 111 to prevent a rifle butt from slipping off the shelf 110. The flange 111 may be attached to the shelf 110 by any suitable means, including by way of non-limiting example only, screws and/or nails. The shelf and flange 110, 111 also include a surface 110 a covered with a suitable material, like felt, rubber, or other non-marring materials, to protect the rifle butt, including a portion of a rifle stock, from marring and/or damage. The butt sconce 109 further includes a plurality of hinges 112, 112 a adapted to allow the butt sconce to be collapsed proximate the frame 101 when fully collapsed as shown in FIG. 2. By way of non-limiting example only, a pair of lateral hinges 112 operably connects the frame 101 and butt sconce 109. A center hinge 112 a allows the butt sconce 109 to fold and collapse proximate the frame 101 when the frame is fully collapsed.

FIG. 2 of the portable gun rack 20 shows the frame 201 in the fully collapsed, portable position. In this position, the collapsible frame bracket 202 has been unlocked and folded along its longitudinal axis. When the frame 201 is in the collapsed position, both the muzzle 203 and butt 204 sconces are folded along their respective hinge axes and rest proximate the frame 201. As further shown in FIG. 2, and by way of non-limiting example only, if an embodiment of the gun rack 20 includes two handles 205, the handles are close enough to each other in the fully collapsed position to allow a user to grasp both handles and lift the gun rack 20 for easy carrying. Another embodiment of the portable gun rack 20 includes a latch to secure the frame sides 201 so the sides stay collapsed during carrying or transport. The latch may include a hook and eye latch attached to a posterior surface 207 of the flange 206 opposite the covered surface. In the embodiment including a hook and eye latch, the hook 208 may be attached to one side of the flange and the eye 209 may be attached to the other side of the flange so that when the frame is collapsed and the sconces are in the folded position, the hook is proximate to and can engage the eye for latching 210. Other mechanisms may be employed to secure the frame sides 201 so the sides stay collapsed during carrying or transport, like, by way of example only, friction or self-locking locks built into the butt and/or muzzle sconces, and/or butt and/or muzzle sconce hinges.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the gun rack 30 in use. As a shown in FIG. 3, a user would carry the portable gun rack 30 to the desired location using the handle(s) 301 and unfold the frame 302 and lock the brackets 303, 304 to sturdy the frame stand 302 and muzzle sconce 305. Once the gun rack 30 is secure, long bore firearms like rifles and shotguns can be placed in the gun rack 30 as shown in FIG. 3. The user would place the butt of the rifle on the butt sconce 306, which includes a flange 307, and place the rifle muzzle or barrel within one of the plurality of scalloped edges 308 on the muzzle sconce 305 to rest the firearm in the gun rack. The non-marring surfaces of the butt sconce 306 a, the flange 307 a, and the scalloped edge 308 a will help prevent the firearm from slipping out of the gun rack 30 and thereby reduce the possibility of marring or damaging the rifle butt, stock, and barrel, including the rifle muzzle.

By way of non-limiting example only, an embodiment of the portable gun rack includes a length of the collapsed or folded frame of about 100 to about 107 centimeters and a depth of the collapsed or folded frame of about 7 to about 8 centimeters. A further non-limiting embodiment of the portable gun rack includes a width of about 37 centimeters to about 41 centimeters when in the unfolded position. The gun rack components, including the frame, sconces, brackets, and handles may be comprised of any suitable material including wood products, metals, fiberglass, synthetic fibers, natural products, plastics, or combinations thereof.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments and variations may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” 

1. A portable gun rack comprising: a. a collapsible frame stand; b. a collapsible muzzle sconce, including a scalloped edge and a non-marring surface adapted to accommodate at least one muzzle of a long bore firearm, including a rifle or shotgun; and c. a collapsible butt sconce, including a shelf, a flange, and a non-marring surface adapted to accommodate at least one butt of a long bore firearm, including a rifle or shotgun.
 2. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the collapsible butt and muzzle sconces are adapted to accommodate a plurality of long bore firearms, including rifles and shotguns.
 3. The portable gun rack of claim 2, wherein the butt and muzzle sconces can accommodate four long bore firearms, including rifles and shotguns.
 4. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the non-marring scalloped edge of the collapsible muzzle sconce and the non-marring surface of the butt sconce comprises felt.
 5. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a length of the collapsed frame is about 100 to about 107 centimeters.
 6. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a depth of the collapsed frame is about 7 to about 9 centimeters.
 7. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a width of the collapsed frame is about 11 to about 13 centimeters.
 8. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein a width of the unfolded frame is about 37 centimeters to about 41 centimeters when in the unfolded position.
 9. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least one bracket to secure the frame in the unfolded position.
 10. The portable gun rack of claim 9, wherein the bracket includes a friction lock.
 11. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the muzzle sconce includes at least one bracket to secure the muzzle sconce in the unfolded position.
 12. The portable gun rack of claim 11, wherein the bracket includes a friction lock.
 13. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a hook and eye latch adapted to secure the frame in the collapsed position.
 14. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the sconces include friction locks adapted to secure the frame in the collapsed position.
 15. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the sconces include friction locks adapted to secure the frame in the unfolded position.
 16. The portable gun rack of claim 1, wherein the muzzle and butt sconces include a plurality of hinges adapted to collapse the sconces proximate the frame when in the collapsed position.
 17. The portable gun rack of claim 16, wherein the muzzle and butt sconces include at least one self-locking hinge.
 18. The portable gun rack of claim 17, wherein the at least one self-locking hinge includes a friction lock. 